DANC 105 Social Dance

This course introduces students to the beginning figures and technique for several Standard, Latin, and Swing dances. Students will learn and demonstrate knowledge and technique in proper posture and dance position; awareness and use of core; clarity and use of rhythm/musicality; proper execution of footwork and transfer of weight; and an understanding of partnering skills and etiquette for the ballroom.

Credits

1

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

60

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

DANC 105Social Dance

Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.

I. General Information

Department

Dance

II. Course Specification

Course Type

Program Requirement

General Education Competency

[GE Core type]

Credit Hours Narrative

1

Semester Contact Hours Lecture

60

Grading Method

Letter grade

Repeatable

Y

Credit Hours Maximum, if repeatable

2

III. Catalog Course Description

This course introduces students to the beginning figures and technique for several Standard, Latin, and Swing dances. Students will learn and demonstrate knowledge and technique in proper posture and dance position; awareness and use of core; clarity and use of rhythm/musicality; proper execution of footwork and transfer of weight; and an understanding of partnering skills and etiquette for the ballroom.

IV. Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

  • Demonstrate progress toward mastery in technical movement skills and knowledge at the beginning level for Standard, Latin, and Social dances introduced in class
  • Critically and creatively respond to and analyze movement through observation, discussion, readings, and written work
  • Understand and apply proper partnering skills and etiquette for the ballroom
  • Research, analyze, and create a presentation of a social dance of your choice that demonstrates understanding and application of the effect that dance had on society and the effect society had on that dance

V. Topical Outline (Course Content)

Instruction in technical movement skills including partnering, multiple figures, and etiquette for the ballroom at the beginning level for Standard, Latin, and Social dances introduced in class each term. Vocabulary and critical thinking activities applicable to social/ballroom dance. Journal writing engaging the student in internal dialogue to reflect and self-assess personal growth as an artist and mover. Research project designed to deepen knowledge and understanding of social dances, the history of social dances, and the effect dance has had on society and that society has had on dance.

VI. Delivery Methodologies

Required Assignments

Attendance and participation in class. Students are expected to be in every class. Learning to dance requires that the body do it. Students will not gain body awareness, strength, flexibility, or the ability to learn new movement or generate their own movement by hearing about what happened in class from a classmate, or reading a book. There is no way to make up material or missed experiences. Students are granted one permissible absence and may make-up two absences per semester by participating in (if appropriate) or observing and writing a one-page reflection of another movement class (for each absence). The instructor must approve class make-ups. Journal reflective writing. Improve oral, written, and critical thinking skills as they apply to movement through daily use of a dance journal. Response Paper. Attend, analyze, and reflect in writing on a pre-approved live dance concert or theatrical production (or watch an approved video of a live performance). Research Project. Complete a research project on the dance of your choice showing knowledge and understanding of the dance, its history, and the effect it had on society and that society had on the dance.

Required Exams

Formative (on-going) assessments: Attendance and participation. Students will demonstrate progress toward mastery in technical movement skills relative to modern dance, understand and apply the elements of body, energy, space, and time to movement when creating and executing movement for artistic expression, and learn to memorize and reproduce movement sequences in modern dance at the beginning level. Journal writing will be formatively assessed through weekly participation. Summative assessments: Students will be summatively assessed mid-term on their written work to date in their movement journals. Students will be summatively assessed for completion of work and presentation of the Research Project. Students will be summatively assessed at end of term on their written analysis/reflection of a live dance performance. Students will receive a summative assessment based on attendance and participation for the semester. To earn an A in this category students must consistently reach above and beyond average daily participation exhibiting energetic, attentive, inquisitive, and respectful attitudes.

Required Text

All reading materials are provided by the instructor.

Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements

Attendance and participation in class. Students are expected to be in every class. Learning to dance requires that the body do it. Students will not gain body awareness, strength, flexibility, or the ability to learn new movement or generate their own movement by hearing about what happened in class from a classmate, or reading a book. There is no way to make up material or missed experiences. Students are granted one permissible absence and may make-up two absences per semester by participating in (if appropriate) or observing and writing a one-page reflection of another movement class (for each absence). The instructor must approve class make-ups. Journal reflective writing. Improve oral, written, and critical thinking skills as they apply to movement through daily use of a dance journal. Response Paper. Attend, analyze, and reflect in writing on a pre-approved live dance concert or theatrical production (or watch an approved video of a live performance). Research Project. Complete a research project on the dance of your choice showing knowledge and understanding of the dance, its history, and the effect it had on society and that society had on the dance. Formative (on-going) assessments: Attendance and participation. Students will demonstrate progress toward mastery in technical movement skills relative to modern dance, understand and apply the elements of body, energy, space, and time to movement when creating and executing movement for artistic expression, and learn to memorize and reproduce movement sequences in modern dance at the beginning level. Journal writing will be formatively assessed through weekly participation. Summative assessments: Students will be summatively assessed mid-term on their written work to date in their movement journals. Students will be summatively assessed for completion of work and presentation of the Research Project. Students will be summatively assessed at end of term on their written analysis/reflection of a live dance performance. Students will receive a summative assessment based on attendance and participation for the semester. To earn an A in this category students must consistently reach above and beyond average daily participation exhibiting energetic, attentive, inquisitive, and respectful attitudes.